The Manchester United ace is now a marked man for his matchday theatrics.

His showboating antics have incensed opponents with George Boateng warning this week that "someone will hurt him properly" after he won and then scored a controversial penalty to turf Middlesbrough out of the FA Cup.

Belgium international Stijn Stijnen followed it up with the threat that "after two minutes we will have massacred him so much he will have to leave the pitch on a stretcher" ahead of yesterday's Euro 2008 qualifier against Portugal.

But Swansea City's own showman believes the hatchet men should just lay off Ron and stop being so jealous.

"If that's the way you enjoy playing football, then why stop?" he said.

"Every player would love to go out and do the things that Ronaldo does and it's exactly that type of thing that fans want to see. "They want to be entertained.

"I admire him because some of the stuff he does on the ball is unbelievable. How can you not respect that?

"People have to resort to fouling because that's the only way they can get the ball off him."

Trundle knows the feeling.

Former Huddersfield boss Peter Jackson once famously voiced his feeling that Trundle's tricks were putting so many noses out of joint that he shouldn't be surprised when disgruntled opponents start taking a more literal approach to his own limbs.

But the 30-year-old has survived and prospered despite the roughing up he receives every week in League One.

And he believes that Ronaldo should see the strong-arm tactics as a back-handed compliment.

"I don't mind taking the fouls because it means a defender can't get the ball off me," said Trundle.

"That puts me one up against him straight away.

"The other night I saw Ronaldo laughing because he knew clattering him was the final resort.

"You have to realise people will try to take you out.

"But if someone is thinking more about kicking you than the ball then it's an advantage that works in your favour.

"If anything it's a compliment. But if people have been kicking you all your life you get used to it. It doesn't bother me and it shouldn't bother him."